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Our Nightly Bedtime Routine

Our Nightly Bedtime Routine + a Giveway!

July 14, 2016 Sarah Coggins
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you.

We try to keep a pretty consistent bedtime routine for both our kids. Even with a 5 year age gap, they both do best going to bed at 8pm which means I start giving verbal reminders about an hour beforehand that it’s almost time to head upstairs for bath time.

Our Nightly Bedtime Routine

Bath Time

Evening baths are a must on our current hot & humid days. We get outdoors and play hard so we’re all sweaty by evening. My son heads to the master bathroom for the shower so the kids’ bathroom is free for me to bathe his sister. It’s the perfect relaxation time to start getting into “bedtime” mode.

Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo & Bedtime Bath in Calming Lavender

Our daughter has not been our greatest sleeper. She surprised us by sleeping through the night consistently from months 2 to 4. Then just as suddenly quit. I can count on probably 2 hands the number of nights she’s slept through the night since.

We recently started using Johnson’s Baby Bedtime Bath and Baby Shampoo in Calming Lavender during bath time. Followed by a gentle massage of her legs & arms while I rubbed in some Johnson’s Bedtime Lotion. The first few nights she suddenly slept 10-12 hours straight. It hasn’t been a perfect fix (I partly blame that last incisor – teething is no joke), but I was quite impressed with the sudden improvement. Maybe the trend will continue once that incisor breaks through.

Brushing Teeth

Taking care of their gums and teeth is very important. Our schedule is so consistent, our daughter knows exactly when to head to the bathroom to brush her teeth – running ahead of me giggling the entire way. Then using the step stool to try to reach the brushes and paste. They are still just barely out of her reach so I have to give her a lift to the counter and, of course, assist with the process.

Toddler Teeth Brushing

Reading

Each night after brushing her teeth, she will give hugs to her brother and me. Then run to her Dada for story time. He sits and rocks her in the glider in her room while reading book after book. She’s gotten pretty particular about which books she wants too! And, sometimes, we’ll catch her sitting there “reading” to herself or a friend.

Hallmark Plush Good-Night Owl: Bedtime Reading #LoveHallmark

Meanwhile I head to her brother’s room for some one-on-one time. Depending on how exhausted he is from the day this varies from us just snuggling and talking about his day, to reading a book, and/or writing in our journal.

Lights Out

At 8pm it’s lights out for both kids. They each have a couple special “friends” they like to snuggle with. Our daughter’s new favorite is her Owl from Hallmark. It’s made of soft minky fabric and sized perfectly for her to wrap her arms around. It’s also super kissable. 😉

Hallmark Plush Good-Night Owl: Hugs #LoveHallmark

The Owl features a silkier belly fabric along with small ribbons perfect for little ones to rub for comfort at bedtime or anytime of the day. Owl hangs out in her crib most of the day, but sometimes can be found hanging out in the playroom or taking a ride in the toy stroller.

Hallmark Plush Good-Night Owl: Ribbons #LoveHallmark

What’s your bedtime routine like? Does your little one have a special “friend” to cuddle with?


Hallmark has generously offered to send one of my readers their own Good-Night Kisses Baby Gift Set perfect for your own baby or to gift to a new baby in your life.

Johnson's Good-Night Kisses Bath Gift Set featuring Hallmark Book & Plush Owl #LoveHallmark

The set includes:

  • Hallmark Plush Owl Complete with a bedtime stocking cap and relaxing muted colors, Hallmark’s plush owl is the perfect snuggly companion to help baby wind down for the night.
  • Hallmark Good-Night Kisses Bedtime Storybook The comforting words in this Hallmark tale remind your sleepy little one of the love that’s all around, sending baby off into a peaceful and soothing sleep.
  • Johnson’s Baby Products Baby Bedtime Bath, Baby Shampoo Calming Lavender, and Baby Bedtime Lotion
  • Bath Caddy Perfect for organizing all those bath toys!

Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Giveaway ends on 7/28/16. Find the new Good-Night Kisses Baby Gift Set at Target, Babies ‘R Us, and Buy Buy Baby.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I did receive one Good-Night Kisses Baby Gift Set from Hallmark for review purposes. 

5 Comments

  • Lauren July 17, 2016 at 10:21 am
    I would share this with my friend who is expecting in December.
  • Amy Orvin July 17, 2016 at 12:13 pm
    I would share this with my niece. Thank You for the chance.
  • Jaime July 17, 2016 at 3:19 pm
    My son has a nightly routine that involves bathtime, teeth, books and then lights out. When his lights are out, I'll rub his back for a couple of minutes (I used to rock him, but his room no longer has the rocking chair.) The baby is fed, has a bath (some nights), rocked briefly and then into her crib to fall asleep. Their routines are similar, but she prefers to be in her bed EARLY. (Before 7 if possible.) :) It took such a long time to figure out what worked best for my boy! He was such a terrible sleeper for over a year.
  • Cami Valenzuela July 19, 2016 at 6:05 pm
    I would share with my best friend who is expecting in December. Her due date is right before xmas. She finds out what she is having august 8th :)
  • Lesson from the Tin Man | 2paws Designs August 3, 2018 at 9:00 am
    […] down the foot. Slowly it started smoothing out until it was running full speed again. As I tackled bedtime routines with the kids, he began putting it back […]
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    Sarah

    Hi! I'm a DIY and craft obsessed mom to 2. I have my hands covered in sawdust or paint any given day. My husband and kids join me in many of our projects. When we aren't creating at home, we're creating memories in our many adventures. Join along! Read More

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